26 July 2022
Ali Anwar
Islamic Centre Against Genocide and Extremism
[FYI request #19894 email]
Reference: OIA-2021/22-1521
Dear Ali Anwar
Official Information Act request for the Prime Minister’s beliefs regarding
statements about Israel
Thank you for your request made under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act),
received on 12 July 2022. You requested:
“It appears that you have decided to appoint the extreme anti-Palestinian activist
Paul Spoonley to head the Centre for Preventing and Countering Violent
Extremism. Spoonley is notorious for his role in the so-called 'Antisemitism
Survey of New Zealand 2021', which conflates opposition to the genocide of
Palestinian human beings in their indigenous homeland with antisemitism.
Does the Prime Minister, as the zionist extremist Spoonley does, believe it is
antisemitic to state:
* "Israel is an apartheid state" (as have all major human rights organisations and
multiple UN representatives)?
* "Israel is committing mass murder" (as it has since its inception)?”
I believe that the information you have requested is more closely connected to the
functions of the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. Accordingly, I have decided
under section 14(b)(ii) of the Act to transfer your request to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has the usual timeframes under the Act from receipt of this transfer
to make a decision on your request.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Delore
Acting Executive Director,
Strategy, Governance and Engagement
4579452
Executive Wing, Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand 6011
64 4 817 9700 Facsimile 64 4 472 3181 www.dpmc.govt.nz